Breeding/mating can take place at any time: upon emerging from hibernation, throughout the spring and summer months and well in to the fall. Typically, during the hottest part of the summer, little mating occurs because a) the females avoid it during egg laying season, and b) due to heat, the turtles aren't doing much of anything. They will, however, take advantage of cooler rainy days.

Egg laying here, however, ONLY takes place from late May to early July or so. Mine live outside year round and came from a construction site about 5 miles from here, so they do not have any unusual factors influencing their internal clocks.

The turtles reproductive system is such that females ovulate cyclically, and can store sperm for years (!!), which is why egg laying is not influenced by the timing of a mating.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]